Forensic Nursing Online Degree Programs

ACCREDITED ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREES IN FORENSIC NURSING

Master of Science Forensic Nursing, Fitchburg State University

Students in this 39-credit online program go beyond their previous nursing experience and training by learning more advanced topics and theories. This includes how to work with different populations, as well as how to build proficiency in other aspects of the profession. The forensic focus includes a closer look at criminal law and science, including medical technology. Students are required to complete a research project as well. The program can be a prerequisite for students wanting to earn certification from the Advanced Forensic Nurse Board.

• Location: Fitchburg, MA
• Courses: Scientific Foundations for Forensic Nursing Interventions, Caring for Perpetrators, Advanced Pathopharmacology and Epigenetics
• Cost: $58/credit
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Master of Science Nursing, Forensic Track, Xavier University

Xavier’s School of Nursing has a wide selection of options for nurses, all the way up to a doctor of nursing practice degree plus dual-degree programs where students can earn their master’s in nursing simultaneously as they earn a master’s in business, education, or criminal justice. The online program includes 26 credit hours of general nursing curriculum, and those interested in the forensic program can add another ten credits. Students learn to integrate their nursing experience with other healthcare systems and the criminal justice system, recognize abuse and crime, and discuss the scientific process of investigating trauma and death.

• Location: Cincinnati, OH
• Courses: Sociology of Crime and Delinquency, Psych/Social/Legal Aspects of Forensics, Interprofessional Collaboration
• Cost: $635/credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Ohio Board of Nursing, American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation

Master of Science, Forensic Nursing, St. Petersburg College

Students who are already nurses can receive additional training in working with victims, suspects, and convicted criminals, along with learning methods to investigate trauma, violence, and death. Student nurses learn how their profession interacts with law enforcement, law and court systems. Through a University Partnership program, SPC students can take courses through Cleveland State University’s School of Nursing, including its master of nursing specialized populations program.

• Location: St. Petersburg, FL
• Cost: $112.70/credit hour (Florida resident), $425.79 (non-Florida resident)
• Courses: Nursing Research, Legal System, Crisis Theory
• Accreditation: The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The nursing courses through Cleveland State University are accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Master of Science Nursing/Advanced Forensic Subspecialty, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Students in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program who want to work with different populations and settings than traditional nurses can consider this subspecialty. Advanced forensic nurses learn how to evaluate and diagnose patients and their families who have been involved in physical, mental or emotional trauma, including providing physical exams, putting together therapeutic plans, and consulting with other medical and legal resources. The program requires at least one specialty track, such as nurse practitioner for different patient types, plus at least one three-credit subspecialty such as palliative care, oncology, or emergency.

• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Cost: $555/credit hour
• Courses: Medical Examiner Certification, Office Gynecology Procedure Training, Certified Nurse Education
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

MSN, Forensic Specialization, Duquesne University School of Nursing (sponsored)

The MSN program at this private Catholic university includes 24 credit hours covering a variety of legal and medical foundations, with an emphasis on leadership and expertise. This is followed by 15 hours of a forensic specialization, which includes further information about the court system, policy creation, and general practice. Students emphasize being able to work independently, as part of a multi-disciplinary group or heading a program.

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Cost: $1,312 per credit but discounts are available to current nurses or instructors
• Courses: Criminal Law and the Courts, Forensic Science and the Legal System, Clinical Prevention and Population-based Health Promotion
• Accreditation: The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Master of Science Nursing, Forensics, Monmouth University

The goal of this online program is to create future leaders in the world of nursing, whether they want to be administrators, instructors, or work in law enforcement/legal capacities. The 36- to 48-credit program helps connect nurses with members of the legal professions, and helps them focus on areas such as care management, which looks at legal/policy topics; and interpersonal violence, that looks at abuse, death, assault, or activity in correctional facilities.

• Location: West Long Branch, NJ
• Cost: $1,142/credit
• Courses: Interpersonal Violence, Medicolegal Death, Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing, Pathophysiology and Histology
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Master of Science, Forensic Nursing, Cleveland State University

With a focus on integrating nursing principles with other disciplines, this 34-credit program presents a bigger picture of available career opportunities, especially in legal and law enforcement fields. The forensic track is one of several available within the master of science in nursing program, and within it are several sub-tracks for even more specialty skills, including clinical forensic nursing, which covers sexual assault care, observation and evidence gathering; legal nurse consultation, which can involve testifying about healthcare issues and becoming a legal expert; forensic psychiatry nursing, which can provide care for inmates, witnesses and family members to evaluate competency; and death Investigation, which is working with law enforcement to collect evidence and testify about crimes.

• Location: Cleveland, OH
• Cost: $541.40/hour (non-resident/international), $531.40 (in-state)
• Courses: Evidence-based Practice, Forensic Methodologies, Population Assessment
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Master of Science Nursing/Forensic Nursing, Aspen University

This 36-credit program focuses on providing students with opportunities to connect with law enforcement and help the greater good, whether it’s investigating, teaching, analyzing or leading. Programs discuss topics like legal testifying and consulting, working with corrections departments, reducing community violence, learning about sexual crime, and performing sexual assault examinations.

• Location: Denver, CO
• Cost: $975/credit
• Courses: Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care, Advanced Corrections, Advanced Pharmacology
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

Forensic Certificates are also available online from:

• Fitchburg State University, Forensic Nursing, 21 credits
• Texas A&M, Forensic Healthcare, 12 credits
• Penn State World Campus, Nursing Forensics, 12 credits
• University of California Riverside Extension, Forensic Nursing, 16 credits
• Duquesne University School of Nursing, Post-Masters Forensic Nursing (sponsored), 15 credits
• Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, Forensic Trends and Issues in Contemporary Healthcare, 9 credits
• Monmouth University, Forensic Nursing, 24 credits

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREES IN FORENSIC NURSING

The process of being accepted into an online master of science program varies by particular institutions, but generally candidates need a blend of professional experience in nursing plus solid academic credentials. Applications may request:

• Letters of recommendation from others in the nursing field
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional knowledge
• Transcript of classes from an accredited nursing program with at least a B average
• Current RN credentials/license for at least a year
• A personal statement of interest
• Other professional certifications/licenses

ONLINE PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

Nurses seeking advanced skills are encouraged to make sure a program follows current educational standards. Many schools receive accreditation from entities recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Education and includes six regional councils through the country.

However, the nursing profession has also developed its own standards and accreditation process, and many schools are recognized by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which is part of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

The International Association of Forensic Nursesalso provides continuing education plus employment resources and certification, including sexual assault examination training.